The Maldives Police Service is investigating 27 people and 22 locations over suspected illegal foreign currency trading in the Maldives.

Police said 65 reports related to illegal dollar trading have been received through a hotline established to gather information on foreign currency transactions.

The reports include information on 27 foreign nationals, 18 locations allegedly involved in unauthorised foreign currency trading, four locations accused of buying and selling foreign currency at inflated rates, and 16 online platforms reportedly involved in such transactions.

Police said one foreign national has been referred to Immigration for further action, while information on other reported individuals is being verified in coordination with relevant authorities.

The police said a system has been established to share information with a task force formed to investigate illegal foreign currency trading. Information can be submitted via SMS, Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram to the task force’s operations number, 9388733.

Police assured that the identities and information of those providing information will be kept confidential and that informants will not be required to participate in any stage of the investigation.